VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Trucks and Vans 1934 Woodie, What do I have? Grill treatment?

Hi:

I am new to the forum. I posted a few question on the 1933-36 forum but was suggested to better place them here, in the truck forum.

A few months ago I bought a 1934 Chevrolet woodie, on commercial chassis. I have doubts as to what I have and how to restore it correctly. Unfortunately, the wood was changed by the prior owner on a restoration that he did in the late 70's or early 80's and never finished, but it wasn't done correctly, so I will have to redo it. I know it was a woody originally because another friend of mine knew it before the former unfinished restoration, with the rotten original wood, and because of the car's papers.

My woodies numbers... Serial number is 3DB11 53720. Engine number is K4706976.

From those numbers, is it possible to know exactly what I have?

I have seen 1934 commercial units with chrome headlamps and grill surround and some without them. My woodie has painted headlamps but also a fully painted grill (which of course may have been wrongly painted when the truck was partly restored).

So, one of my main doubts is the grill. Being a painted headlight shell unit, should the grill area around the grill be chromed or painted? It does not show a moulding or signs of ever having had it before. How should the grill insert be treated?

Thanks,
Victor

3 = assembled in St.Louis
DB = 1934 1/2 ton truck
11 = month assembled. 1934s were assembled in Nov of 1933 and Nov of 1934. The 53720 sequence number would indicate 1934

K4706976 engine number K = Master truck engine, 1934 engine numbers ranged fron 3964078 through 4708994 so there again it indicated one of the last 1934 engines.

The vehicle probably came out of the factory as a chassis and cowl and the station wagon body was installed by an independent company.

Ny parts book indicates the unit was available with a chrome grille screen and chrome head lights.

I have seen pictures of 1934 wagon conversions but can locate them at this time.

Chevgene:

Thanks a lot! Very interesting information!

A couple of doubts, if I may.

1. You say "the unit was available with a chrome grille screen...". The chrome grill screen is clear, but what about the grill shell itself? Would that have to be fully painted or with the chrome raised area simulating a moulding around the screen?

2. "...and chrome head lights". I have a commercial catalog and it shows most of the units with black painted headlight shells. Were they available both ways or should I think of chroming mine?

In case you could locate those pics you mention, I will be very gratetful. I have just one plus some drawints, in case you are interested in them. My email is vmilkeg at paniplus.com.mx

Thanks,
Victor

here's some pics..

http://images.google.ca/images?hl=e...=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi

The Deluxe models had the chrome shell with just the raised area exposed. It looked like a seperate moulding around the grille. The screen was also chrome as well as the head lights. All models had the center moulding chrome plated.
These Deluxe models were not common.

Thanks for the response and for the link to pictures.

Forgive me for asking again, but the Deluxe models are now pretty clear to me (chrome shell raised area, chrome screen and chrome headlights).

My truck is not a deluxe, and this is where the doubt comes. I believe I need to have a fully painted shell, painted headlights, but, what about the screen? How should it be done? Chrome or paint? If paint, body color or black (in my case fender color).

Thanks,
Victor

The the grille screen would be black. Even if the fenders were body color.

Great, thanks a lot! Now I know how it needs to look.

Victor